Publications

The joint OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission Guidelines on Freedom of Association aim to offer advice and expertise on how to legislate on freedom of association-related matters, in a manner that is compliant with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments. They also reflect evolving good state practices, and are intended to enhance awareness of the above right in general. They will offer a practical toolkit to legislators tasked with drafting laws which regulate or affect associations, but also to associations, members of associations and human rights defenders, to support advocacy in this field of human rights law.

The publication contains an in-depth overview of the relationship between the OSCE and its Mediterranean Partners featuring significant historical documents, a table of current and past projects with the Mediterranean Partners, and a compilation of key findings originating from relevant OSCE events that have taken place since the Vilnius Ministerial Council in 2011. Moreover, attention is given to the role of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in fostering OSCE-Mediterranean dialogue. Chapter VII is dedicated to the New-Med Track II Network with academics and think tanks in the Mediterranean region. This is followed by, a selection of OSCE publications of interest to the Mediterranean Partners. The publication concludes with comments on the Helsinki+40 Process insofar as it affects the Mediterranean Partnership.

This paper, produced in consultation with the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons Expert Co-ordination Team, examines the principle of non-punishment in international law, explores the scope of its application and discusses the challenges in its practical implementation. It includes a number of practical examples and court cases which were made available by national agencies, NGOs and legal professionals who have been examining these issues extensively, in particular the Belgian Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism, the Bureau of the Dutch National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, as well as UK courts and lawyers. The paper concludes with the provision of practical guidance, and the formulation of policy and legislative recommendations, towards the effective implementation of the non-punishment provision with regard to victims of trafficking.

The OSCE Annual Report provides an overview of the Organization's activities in its field operations and institutions, and co-operation with other organizations.

This guidebook provides guidance on the central issues that can have an impact on the success or failure of police efforts to harness a community-policing approach to preventing terrorism and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. It is primarily intended for policymakers and senior police professionals, but may also be a useful resource for members of civil society with an interest in these issues, in particular community leaders.

Freedom of expression and freedom of the media are essential to any democratic process, and the assessment of media coverage of election campaigns is a fundamental part of election observation methodology. This publication provides a succinct explanation of the media-monitoring methodology used by the OSCE/ODIHR in its election observation activities.

The Commentary to the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings (PC.DEC/557), the 2005 Addendum Addressing Special Needs of Child Victims of Trafficking for Protection and Assistance (PC.DEC/557/Rev.1) and the 2013 Addendum to the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings: One Decade Later (PC.DEC/1107/Corr.11) is designed to clarify the most challenging issues addressed by the OSCE anti-trafficking commitments and recommendations and to continue to help in the Action Plan’s implementation by all stakeholders. The Commentary has the goal to provide technical assistance to the participating States, in line with the SR/CTHB’s mandate. It also is to serve as a useful, and much needed, reminder of the so-called “agreed OSCE language”, language that clearly demonstrates basic human rights principles and internationally agreed human rights norms and terminology.